Humane Society, Cats 'N' Us to operate shelter

Megan Kovalaske, a Tuscarawas County Humane Society employee, TCHS Director Lindsey Lewis, and the Cats ’N’ Us board will manage operations and finances of the cat shelter.

Times Reporter

Writer

Posted Apr. 26, 2011 at 12:01 AM
Updated Apr 26, 2011 at 1:32 AM

Posted Apr. 26, 2011 at 12:01 AM
Updated Apr 26, 2011 at 1:32 AM

DOVER

Over the last few weeks, the Tuscarawas County Humane Society has been working with volunteers of Cats ’N’ Us Cat Shelter to continue operations at the shelter.

“We are so excited to be partnering with the Tuscarawas County Humane Society,” said Connie Burger, Cats ’N’ Us board member and volunteer.

“We have already seen some amazing things being done, and we realize that we can be stronger by partnering together to provide a top-notch cat shelter.”

Megan Kovalaske, a Tuscarawas County Humane Society employee, will be the director of the cat shelter at 829 Union Ave.

Kovalaske, TCHS Director Lindsey Lewis, and the Cats ’N’ Us board will manage operations and finances of the cat shelter.

“The first order of business was to vet all of the cats in the shelter,” said Kovalaske.

“Every cat has been spayed/neutered, had a feline leukemia test, a feline FIV test, heartworm test, wormer, a five-way vaccination, fecal test, and flea and tick prevention. It is so important for each of the cats to go into their new loving home healthy and happy.”

The Humane Society worked with the vet tech program at Kent State University Tuscarawas, and students were able to help with tests and vaccination updates.

“The students were so amazing and willing to help,” said Lewis. “We are so thankful for their dedication to helping the animals of Tuscarawas County. Without them we would not have been able to vet all the cats in such a timely manner.”

Next, the shelter was cleaned and reorganized.

“There has been a lot of cleaning, painting, organizing, and more cleaning, going on in the last couple of weeks,” said Kelly Hettinger, Cats ’N’ Us board member and volunteer.

“The shelter is a wonderful place to house the cats of Tuscarawas County; there is even a place for the cats to go outside to enjoy the fresh air. There are not many shelters that have the ability for the cats to roam freely and be uncaged all day,” Hettinger said.

The Cats ’N’ Us Shelter will also have a clinic for cats that come in that are too sick or have been newly spayed or neutered and cannot be placed into the general population.

Both the cat and humane society shelters will maintain the same policy of euthanizing undadoptable (including feral cats), sick or injured animals, according to Kelly Schoelles, a humane society board member.

“What do you do?“ Schoelles said, in reference to those who think the policies are too stringent. “We operate on donations and fundraisers. All of it takes money. There are no laws with cats; they have to catch up with the dog (licensing) laws.”

The county Humane Society and the Cats ’N’ Us Shelter will hold a grand reopening and adoptathon from 3 to 7 May 15. The public can tour the building and learn how to become a volunteer.

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Both agencies are non-profit organizations and rely solely on donations, so the open house will offer an opportunity or donors to drop off cash donations and supplies, including scoopable cat litter, trash bags, canned cat food, and Purina cat and kitten food. Many of the current resident cats will be available to families for $30, representing a $10 discount.

“We are really hoping for a very successful adoption day so that we are able to then take in more cats” said Kovalaske. “We are also hoping for a big turnout of people wanting to become volunteers, because in order to operate successfully, we need dedicated volunteers.”

Beginning May 15, shelter hours are Tuesdays or Thursdays from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. or Sundays from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Cat dropoffs will be by appointment only, restricted to Tuscarawas County residents and by space availability permitting.